Leadville National Fish Hatchery produces trout to fill needs throughout Colorado. These fish help to replenish and encourage sustainable trout populations and provide angling opportunities for recreational users like you!

As the natural aquatic habitat changes from natural (drought, flood, habitat destruction) or human (over-harvest, pollution, habitat loss due to development and dam construction) influences, the natural production of fish declines. The stocking of fish is one of the many management strategies used by biologists to help replenish the populations for years to come.

In recent years, Leadville National Fish Hatchery has provided between 125,000 and 200,000 fish annually to support fishing in the Fryingpan-Arkansas drainage and throughout Colorado. Leadville's efforts also support recovery of the four endangered fishes in the Colorado River.

To meet the trout production demands, Leadville National Fish Hatchery facilities include 2 ponds, 16 raceways, and 20 nursery tanks. There are also 2 ponds open for public fishing.

In fiscal year 2000, Leadville National Fish Hatchery produced over 200 thousand trout and stocked over 20 different water areas.

Over 55,000 angler days of recreational fishing in Colorado valued at over $2,740,000 are a result of the stocking efforts!

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